6 Ways to Decorate a Lampshade

What lights up your world? A lamp, a smile, a cup of tea? Lighting is a vital component in the creation of a cozy atmosphere, no matter the room in your home. Here in Alberta, with the days rapidly shortening, lighting will be used for longer periods of time as each day passes. With that said, it is a good time to take a look at the lamps you have on hand and see if you can decorate a lampshade for a little decor to brigthen your world.

Plug in your glue gun, grab some supplies and get ready to decorate a lampshade! On a recent trip to Ikea I came across some plain white lampshades reduced for clearance at a delightful price of only .25 cents! In hindsight I should have bought more, but it was a little on the small side and I didn’t have a plan in mind. Since then I have thought of a multitude of ways to decorate a lampshade.

Consider the base the lampshade is intended for to create a cohesive design. A white base with a colourful shade will work, as will a lampshade decorated with a neutral scheme placed atop a colourful base.

Paint on a Lampshade

Whether you want to paint the shade in a solid hue to match the existing colour scheme of the room, or try something different, there are many ways to paint a lampshade. One idea is to use painter’s tape to create distinct stripes on the lampshade. Paint horizontal bands of gray around the perimeter of the lampshade for one look or paint a series of vertical stripes in bright colours.

If you have been looking for a way to implement the ombre trend into your space, why not paint a lampshade with ombre tones? Choose several shades of the same hue and paint gradations of them beginning with the darkest on the bottom and move your way up to the lightest shade.

You can also try stenciling or free-handing a pattern onto the plain lampshade.

Felt Decorated Lampshade

When I think of decorating a lampshade with felt I instantly think of a kid’s room. Felt is the perfect medium to create animal pictures with. Make a mini orange fox or owl and hot glue them to the lampshade. Create a fringe of grass and glue it to the bottom edge.

Not sure what to do with your Grandmother’s lace or less precious stuff found at the flea market? Instead of resting in that box in the back of your closet, design a lampshade with it! For contrast, spray the lampshade in a medium to dark colour and once dry, glue the lace to it in a pattern that appeals to you. Another idea is to tape the lace in place with spray adhesive and spray paint the lace. Remove the lace and the pattern will remain.

A simple ribbon trim in a bright colour might be just the detail your lampshade needs. Especially if you begin by painting a monogram on your shade. Or, you can create a trellis pattern like this one here!

Fabricon a Lampshade

A fabric lampshade can tie a room together if you choose a bold graphic with pops of colour found elsewhere in the room. The right fabric can even be a starting point for the design of a whole room. To incorporate the fabric in bits throughout the room, use it on a throw pillow or for curtain tie-backs. Once you glue the fabric in place, trim the excess and finish the lampshade by adding a trim to the top and the bottom of the lampshade.

From wrapping paper to scrapbook paper to wallpaper remnants, paper is a medium that can be used to make your lampshade glow with any colour, pattern or style. Look to modern and vintage styles alike for creative inspiration.

Etsy via Pinterest

Decorate a lampshade with one of these six ideas or combine two different ideas to come up with a design to suit your own taste/style. As the nights lengthen, and the lights come on, what kind of lampshade do you want?